Modi Govt to Revive Rs 44000 Crore Minesweeper Project for Navy
India is preparing to revive a long-stalled defence project worth ₹44,000 crore aimed at strengthening its naval capabilities through the indigenous construction of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs).
The move comes amid rising maritime threats in the Indian Ocean, particularly from China’s expanding naval presence and Pakistan’s growing underwater warfare capacity. The revival of the MCMV project is expected to receive final clearance from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh soon. Once approved, the first minesweeper could be rolled out in approximately seven years. The warships are designed to detect and neutralise underwater mines laid by adversaries to disrupt shipping routes, choke harbours, and threaten commercial and defence vessels. India currently has no dedicated minesweeper in service, placing it at a strategic disadvantage, especially with its 7,516 km long coastline and increasing presence of Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines in the region. According to defence sources, China’s stealthy submarine operations pose a significant risk, as they are capable of laying naval mines without detection.
Pakistan is also modernising its navy and is set to receive new Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines from China, further compounding regional security challenges. The Indian Navy’s current workaround includes “clip-on mine countermeasure suites” installed on select ships, but officials have acknowledged the urgent need for dedicated MCMVs. The Navy requires at least 24 such vessels to effectively safeguard Indian waters from state and non-state actors. The original MCMV project was initiated in 2005 through a collaboration between a Goa-based shipyard and a South Korean firm. However, the deal failed to progress and was officially scrapped by the Ministry of Defence in 2018. The earlier estimated cost of ₹32,000 crore has now risen due to delays and inflation. MCMVs are highly specialised vessels with non-magnetic hulls and advanced sonar systems. They use acoustic and magnetic sweeps along with remotely operated underwater vehicles to detect and destroy mines safely.
In parallel, the Indian Navy is undergoing a broader expansion, with 60 warships currently under construction at domestic shipyards. Next month, India will commission the INS Tamal, a 3,900-tonne multi-role frigate built in Russia. By 2030, the Navy is projected to operate approximately 160 warships, including seven next-generation frigates, eight corvettes, and six stealth diesel-electric submarines.